GAME REPORT

Three In A Row For Crunch Time Kings

Gaz Metan's Slobodan Dundjerski made his teammates better, dishing out 9 assists to go with his 10 points.

If there's one thing Gaz Metan Medias knows, it's how to win in crunch time as the Romanian club won a third consecutive thriller in EuroChallenge Group D with an absorbing 88-86 success against Khimik.

Something had to give when these unbeaten teams went up against each other and neither was willing to relinquish their proud unbeaten records in a nail biting tussle.

The hosts once again showed their composure and a enjoyed a slice of good fortune to sneak yet another victory.

The success tasted sweeter since they had to come back from an awful start which had witnessed Khimik take a commanding 40-26 lead midway through the second quarter.

At that stage, it looked like a loss was on the cards for the the home side, but they fought back in brilliant style with a decisive 19-4 run either side of the break to move in front.

Both teams then traded leads right up until the closing stages, and Khimik led 81-80 with less than two minutes remaining, but the hosts managed to move ahead from the free-throw line and crucially, kept their noses in front to spark scenes of jubilation on the final buzzer.

Willie Deane had 16 points for Khimik whilst Titus Nicoara had 21 points for the winning team along with Slobodan Dundjerski who was just one assist short of a double-double with 10 points and 9 assists.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Gaz Metan Medias vs. Khimik Yuzhne

Titus Nicoara, Gaz Metan player"In the first half we had a few minuteswhen we fell mentally. After that we woke up and we proved that if we play as a team, and we fight for each ball, we can come back in the game. I think that in this game there were moments when our desire to win was bigger then our opponents'."

Marcel Tenter, Gaz Metan coach"I was sure that we can come back in the game. I want to congratulate my team for the fighting spirit, they worked a lot for each ball. If we will play like tonight we can think about going in the next phase of the competition. We dedicate this success to our great fans, they were upset after the lost game againt Pitesti in the Romanian championship."

Suad Sehovic, Khimik Yuzhne player"We had 16 points in the first half, and after that they started to play more aggressive. Practically we lost the game in the second half. Gaz Metan didn't surprise us, we knew it's a strong and aggressive team."

Zoran Martic, Khimik Yuzhni coach,,At one moment we had too many turnovers in the first half, we gave them the chance to score easy points and to come back in the game. After that it was a completely different game. We still had the chance to win, but we missed the opportunities, so that I want to congratulate Gaz Metan and we will try to focus for the next game''.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Gaz Metan Medias vs. Khimik Yuzhne

Titus Nicoara, Gaz Metan player"In the first half we had a few minuteswhen we fell mentally. After that we woke up and we proved that if we play as a team, and we fight for each ball, we can come back in the game. I think that in this game there were moments when our desire to win was bigger then our opponents'."

Marcel Tenter, Gaz Metan coach"I was sure that we can come back in the game. I want to congratulate my team for the fighting spirit, they worked a lot for each ball. If we will play like tonight we can think about going in the next phase of the competition. We dedicate this success to our great fans, they were upset after the lost game againt Pitesti in the Romanian championship."

Suad Sehovic, Khimik Yuzhne player"We had 16 points in the first half, and after that they started to play more aggressive. Practically we lost the game in the second half. Gaz Metan didn't surprise us, we knew it's a strong and aggressive team."

Zoran Martic, Khimik Yuzhni coach,,At one moment we had too many turnovers in the first half, we gave them the chance to score easy points and to come back in the game. After that it was a completely different game. We still had the chance to win, but we missed the opportunities, so that I want to congratulate Gaz Metan and we will try to focus for the next game''.